Irradiator



W. BAECKLER IRRADIATOR Filed July :51, l1940 4 Smeets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY Jan. 12,1943.

w. BAECKLER IRRADIATOR Filed July 31, 1940 4 sheetsI-sheet 2 WALTER BAECKLER BY f ATTORNEY Jan. 12,1943.- w. BAEckLER v K 2,308,145

IRRADITOR Filed July 31, 1940 4 sheets-smet :s

INVENTR WALTER BAECKLER BY f l ATTORNEY Jan' 12 i943' w. BAEcKLl-R IRRADIATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 3l, 1940 INVENTR WALTER BAECKLER ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 12, i943 IRRADIATOR Walter Baeckler, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor to National Carbon Company, Incga corporation of New York 20 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for irradiating liquids With radiant energy and especially to an apparatus adapted for the irradiation of milk and liquid milk products with radiant energy in or near the region known as ultraviolet. While various sources of energy may be used, I prefer to use the energy radi-ated from an arc lamp using carbon electrodes containing, in the core or dispersed throughout the entire electrode, arc supporting material and radiation modifying material. An example of such electrodes are those disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent to Dorcas No. 1,862,300 issued June 7, 1932.

Heretofore, a class of irradiators for treating milk has been used wherein the surface over which the fluid such as' milk to be irradiated flows is cylindrical, an arc lamp or other source of radiant energy is mounted axially within such cylindrical shell and means are provided to supply the milk to 'and collect it from the surface. The surface has been made in separate portions so that it may be separated, or it is made large enough so that an operator may have room to move within the shell to clean the apparatus and adjust the source of radiant energy, e. g. ultraviolet. In the present device the source of ultraviolet energy is removed in a simple mannerfor adjustment or for replacement. Various means of supplying the milk or other fluid to be' irradiated have been employed. However, in the present device a feed tank closelyvadjacent the irradiator shell is used therefor, eliminating long lengths of piping. Since the irradiator is relatively small it has been found convenient to mount it on legs so that it will be at a suitable height for easy operation.

One object of my invention is to devise an irradiator which shall have great stability, this result being achieved by mounting the constant level feed tank over one of the legs. Another object of the present invention is to provide convenient means for raising the source of ultra-violet energy out of operative position whereby the source of energy may be adjusted, repaired or replaced. Another object is to provide an effective means for Ventilating and cooling the interior of the irradiator. Another object of the invention is to provide means producing an even flow of the liquid being irradiated.

These and other objects and the novel features of the invention will in part be evident and will in part be set forth in the following description, having reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View in eleva-tion of an irradiator illustrating one embodiment of the invention;A Y

Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section taken on lin'e 2-2 of Fig.` 3, with the cover removed;

Fig. 3- is a View in vertical section taken on` line 3-3'of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a View in vertical detail section similar to Fig. 3 with the cover removed;

Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the inner baiii'e and the outerbaf'e, respectively, of the milk distributing means;

Fig. 7' is a detailed View in vertical section showing the means for raising and supporting the cover;

Fig. 8 is a View in vertical' section taken on the line 8 8' of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view in transverse section taken on the line -S of Fig. 8. i

In the type of irradiator illustratedl by Way of example, there is a cylindrical shell S supported by three legs, LL1, and L2. The milk to be irradiated flows from a tank T', which is supported by one of tne legs L1, to an upper tro-ugh U, thence over the' upper edge E of the shell S, downk the interior surface of the shell S; and into'a lower orbottoml trough B. While flowing down the inn terior of the shell the milk is irradiated by radiation from a sourcel of ultra-violet or otherenergy, such, for example, as the arc lamp A. I

prefer' to usefa S-electrode three-phase arc lamp such as is disclosed in the copending application of M. J. Dorcas, Serial No. 291,314. The details of the three-phase arc lamp per se form no part of the present invention.

TheV arc lamp or other source of radiant energy is preferably supported from a cover'C', which ts over'th'e upper trough and engages the outer part thereof. The cover C is mounted on an arm ex tending from the leg L2. This includes'a ventilating duct V extending from the top of the cover and discharging through a prolongation of the leg L2.' A flexible conduit F" adjacent they ventilating duct V carries the wires supplying current to the source of radiant energy A.

The shell S preferably is circular in cross-section as best seen in Fig. 2. The shell is provided with the trough U disposedl outwardly 'of the m-ain shell body for supplying milk or other liquid to be irradiated to the top of the shell and this trough may contain one or more ba'ies to give an even flow of milk over the edge E at the top of the shell. Two baiiies have been found especially suitable and a preferredbaiiie construction will be hereinafter described. At the bottom of the main shell body the trough l? extends inwardly to receive the irradiated fluid.

C with the attached arc larnp A or other source of ultra-violet or the like radiant energy. The' legs L1 and L2 are connected to the shell by brackets Il, l2, i3, and lli.

The constant level feed tank T is supported by .the leg L1 and this leg is connected to the shell by the brackets II and l2. The feed tank is of any convenient shape, preferably a cylinder, and is provided with a cover IS. Means for supplying milk or other liquid to be irradiated to the tank are provided. It is desirable that the level of the liquid to be irradiated be maintained approximately constant but this is not absolutely essential. This could be done manually, but the provision of a float regulator is suggested as quite satisfactory. The level must .be at least as high as the upper edge of one of the baffles to be described herein. A pair of conduits I8-I8 lead from the bottom of the tank T to the bottom of the upper trough U. These conduits lil-I8 discharge through apertures Ill-I9 which are preferably disposed 180 apart.

These apertures are outboard of bailles I andL O, -which are disposed in the upper trough U. The conduits lll-I3 are constricted at 2|, or any other suitable place, to provide metering orifices to regulate the rate at which liquid to be irradiated is supplied.

The bailles O and I are circular and are composed of sheet material, such as stainless steel. The outer baille O has an even bottom as is best seen in Fig. 6 but the top is provided with two outwardly extending ilanges 22-22 and, immediately adjacent the flanged or bent-over portions 22-22, there are raised portions 23. The baille O is so disposed that the flanges 22 are immediately over the apertures i9, so that the milk cannot gush up and flow over the baille. The length of the flange is such that the outer edges of the flanges engage the inner surface of the outer wall of the trough U and help to position the baille. 'Ihe raised portions 23 of the outer baille O help to distribute the iluid to be irradiated around the entire circumference of the trough.. The major portion of the milk to be irradiated ilows over the outer baille but it is unobjectionable that a small amount finds its way under this baule. The baffle O merely rests on the bottom of the trough.

Within the outer baille O is an inner baille I. The inner baille I has a smooth top surface which is slightly lower than the level of themilk in the feed tank T but the bottom is provided with a number of projections 24 which rest on the bottom of trough U and permit the liquid to flow under the baille I. The baille is also provided with radially extending studs 25 and 26, the studs 25 engaging the inner surface of the outer baille O, and studs 2S engaging the outer surface of the inner Wall of the trough U; and thus' the studs hold the baille I in position.

The milk or other fluid to be irradiated flows from the tank T through the conduits i8, past the metering oriilces 2l, through the apertures I 9 and into the trough U.n Aswit gushes up it engages the flanges 22 on the baffle O and tends to spread sideways. Most of the milk flows over the baille O, although a small amount may flow under this baille. The milk flows under the baille I, over the edge E of the shell and down the interior of the shell in a thin illm where it is irradiated by radiation from the source A. It is there caught in the lower trough B and carried away for bottling or other further processing.

A source of radiant energy, such as the arc .lamp A, is supported in any convenient manner,

as by supporting it from the upper cover C. This upper cover is made of any suitable material, and is as light as possible consistent with the necessary rigidity. The cover is preferably in the general shape of a flat cone, resting on the outer wall of the upper trough U. The cover C is provided with :a housing 2l for mechanism connected with the feeding of the electrodes of the arc lamp A. In addition to supportingthe arc lamp the upper cover or closure C serves to protect the liquid being irradiated from the possibility of any contamination and also serves to collect heated air to the end that it may be carried away through the Ventilating duct V. The Ventilating duct is sufl'lciently rigid to support the cover C and the arc lamp and is movable vertically and is also rotatable about a vertical axis so that the cover and lamp may be swung clear of the shell for the purpose of repairing or trimming the arc lamp. v

In order that the cover and lamp may be conveniently raised and lowered the leg L2 is modlfled. Its lower portion 21 is of rectangular cross section, this portion being connected to the shell by brackets I3 and i4. At the top of the rectangular portion 2l is a guide member 28 through which a rod 29 slides. This rod is rigidly connected to the Ventilating duct and cover support V. The rod rotates in the guide member or bushing 28 and is supported by a swivel plate 3l which moves up and down within the lower part of L2. The swivel plate is supported on either side by chains 32 extending over pulleys 33 and terminating in counterweights W. These counterweights balance the weight of the upper cover, the Ventilating duct, arc lamp and rod 29 as well` as a telescoping pipe.35. Any suitable means may be provided for preventing the swivel plate from rotating, thereby avoiding twisting of the chains 32.

The telescoping pipe Sle in communication withV the interior .of the Ventilating duct V and slides over an upper telescoping section 36,' which is in turn operatively connected to a suction fan 3l, which draws the heated air through the shell S, the Ventilating duct V, and the Vtelescoping sections 35 and 36.

When it is desired to 'gain access to the .lamp the cover may be lifted by means of Va handle 38 on the cover. When the arcV lamp is clear of the shell it is swung around to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, the rod 29 rotating on the swivel plate 3|.. After the arc lamp has been repaired it is rotated abovetheshell and then lowered into position by using a handle 39.

In some cases it will be found desirable to use a lower closure'or cover D. This is preferably made of sheet metal as shown. The edges resten theV upperv peripheryv of the inner Wall of the lower trough B. The lower closure is provided with a number of perforations so that air for ventilation may enter at the bottom of the shell. A

While I have illustrated one embodiment of my-invention and described it in detail, myv invention is not limited; to the construction shown, various equivalentsbein'g evident-to those skilled in-the'art.

I claim:

l. An irradiator comprising a shell, a cover for said shell, a sourceof radiant energysupported from said cover, and means for supporting said cover in raised and lowered position and including la guide and a' rod'rotatably carried by said guide permitting said cover to be swung about a substantially vertical Vaxis outsidesaid shell when the cover is in raised position;

2. An irradiator as `set fort-h in claim 1 in which said means also includes a Ventilating duct comunicating with the interiorY of said shell.

3. An irradiator comprising Ya shell, a plurality of supports for-said she1l,a cover for said shell, a source vof radiant energy supported from said cover, and means for supporting said'cover in raised and lowered position and includingv a rod and guide member in which said rod is rotatable, permitting it to be swung about a substantially vertical axis, said guide member being lmounted on the vertical prolongation of one of said supports.

4. An irradiator as set forth in claim 3 in which saidmeans includes a hollow telescoping means positioned above said one of said shell supports and a'ventilating duct extending from said cover and into said hollow telescoping means.

5. An irradiator as set forth in claim 3 in which said one of said shell supports contains a counterweight forming part of said supporting means.

6. Apparatus for irradiating a liquid comprising a generally circular shell, means forming an annular trough surrounding the upper part of said shell, the'upper part of said shell being horizontal, means for supplying liquid to lsaid trough, at least two substantially concentric baies in said trough, the inner of said baffles having a plurality of radially projecting members for engaging the inner wall of the trough and other radially projecting members engaging another baille.

7. Apparatus for irradiating a liquid comprising a generally circular shell having a flat horizontal upper edge over which the liquid to be irradiated is adapted to flow, means forming an annular trough surrounding the upper part of said shell and disposed outwardly thereof, the bottom of said trough being provided with an aperture through which the liquid to be irradiated may be admitted, a plurality of substantially concentric baffles in said trough, one of said baffles having a flange extending over said aperture whereby liquid entering said trough is directed to other parts of said trough.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 in which one of said baiiles is provided with radial projections for holding the baiiles spaced from each other.

9. An irradiator comprising means having a surface on which a liquid to be irradiated may ilow, a source of radiant energy so spaced that the energy radiated therefrom will impinge on the liquid flowing over said surface, a receptacle for said liquid on the side opposite to said source of radiant energy, a plurality of baffles resting on the bottom of said receptacle, one of said baffles being so constructed and aranged that a major portion of the liquid will ow under it and the other being so constructed and arranged that: `the major portionwoff theiliquijd will rl'ow it. v .4... .1, l 10. An irradiator as set forth in claim 9 in whichv the 'liquid flows under the bal'en'earest the source of radiant' energyand over the'other bame A 11. An irradiator comprising a cylindrical shell with a vertical axis and a'horizontal 'upper edge, a source of'radiantenergy situated sub'- stantially on said axis; means for supplying liquid to be irradiated 'to flow over 'said upperl edge comprising a receptacle surrounding rthe upper part of said shell, said receptacle' beingprovided with anVv aperture in theVv bottom thereof, a plurality of Asubstantially Vconcentric bailies between said edge and said aperturefthe' outer baiiie having a liiange extending"l over said" aperture, a raised portion adjacent said' aperture on' either side thereof and lower portionson either'side of said raised portions, the inner baille having means-at the bottomthereof whereby the 'edge of the innerbaliie isspa'ced from' the bottom Vof said receptacle: j

12.V An irradiator as set forth in claim 11 in whichthe flanges engage the outer wall of said receptacle and the innerbaffle is provided with a plurality of radial studs 0n either side thereof for engaging the outer baffle and inner wall of the receptacle- 13. An irradiator comprising a shell having a surface down which a liquid to be irradiated may flow under the inuence of gravity, a source of radiant energy so positioned that energyemitted therefromwill impingeon said surface, a 'tank for liquid to be irradiated, distributing means adjacent the'upper edge of, said surface, means for conducting liquid from said tank to said distributing means and a plurality of removable baiies in said distributing means, the upper edge of at least one of said baliles being belowthe level of liquid insaid tank so that liquid may flow over the top' thereof,

14."An"irradiator comprising a generally circular shellhaving a horizontal upper edge, an upper trough surrounding said horizontal upper edge, a lower trough at the bottom of said shell, a removable cover resting on the outer edge of said upper trough, a source of radiant energy supported from said cover, said cover being provided with a Ventilating aperture and a second cover resting on the inner edge of the lower trough and removable therefrom, said second cover being provided with a plurality of perforations so that air may be admitted within said Shell.

15. An irradiating apparatus comprising, in combination, a generally circular shell supported by a plurality of legs, means forming an annular trough surrounding the top of said shell, a supply tank mounted on the top of one of said legs and connected to the bottom of said trough, substantially concentric baiiles disposed in said trough for distributing liquid from said tank within said trough so that it flows uniformly over the entire upper circular edge of said shell and forms a liquid lm on the interior of said shell,

a cover for said shell and trough, a source of.

radiant energy supported by said cover and normally disposed within said shell; and means comprising a Ventilating duct connecting said cover to one of said legs so that said cover and source of radiant energy are adapted to be raised vertically and swung horizontally to a position spaced from said shell and trough.

16. An irradiator vcomprising a shell, a cover for said shell, a source of radiant energy supported by said cover and normally disposed within said shell, and means for supporting said shell comprising -a vertical leg connected to one side of said shell, a guide member mounted on said leg, a vertical rod extending through said guide member for vertical movement and rotary movement, and a Ventilating duct for said shell mounted on said leg and supporting said cover, the construction and arrangement being such that said cover and the source of radiant energy supported thereby may be raised vertically and swung horizontally with respect'to said shell for entirely uncovering said shell and exposing the inside of the latter for cleaning and also exposing the inside of said cover and said source of radiant energy for cleaning and replacement, re- ;spectively, in horizontally oifset relation to said `sliell. Y

17. An irradiator which includes a relatively stable central shell member normally in a Vsubstantially upright position and having an extended side wall portion of continuous crosssection extending upwardly and downwardly, a cover member for said shell member, a source of radiant energy normally centrally disposed in said shell member and unitarily associated with said cover member, Ventilating means for said shell member, an elongated hollow adjustable support means for said cover member permitting the cover member and said source of radiant energy unitarily associated therewith to Ybe raised and lowered vertically and swung horizontally as a unit when in raised position, said hollow support means having substantially continuous side walls and being adapted for use as a section of a Ventilating duct in said Ventilating means.

18. An irradiator as set forth in claim 17 which additionally includes distribution means for continuously distributing a liquid in a relatively thin ,and uniform film evenly and substantially along the entire top of said extended side wall portion iof continuous cross-section, said distribution means including a gravity flow constant head supply tank, means forming a trough at the upper exterior of said shell, said trough having an eX- terior wall extending upwardly higher than the side wall of said shell, connecting means for said tank and said trough, at least one removable baiiie in said trough located concentrically relative said central shell member for aiding the even and uniform distribution of the liquid to the top of the shell member, and adjustable support means for said shell member permitting horizontal and vertical adjustment thereof.

19. An irradiator as set forth in claim 17 wherein said elongated hollow adjustable support means include vertically disposed and vertically movable telescoping standard members having an upper hollow portion, a rigid relatively strong hollow connective member swingable horizontally and connecting said cover member and the hollow portion of said standard members, and means permitting the swinging of said connective member towards and away from said shell.

20. An irradiator having a relatively stable central s hell provided with an extended side wall portion normally in a substantially upright position, a plurality of supporting legs for said shell, said legs being spaced at differing radial distances from the vertical axis of said shell, distributing means adjacent the top of said shell for forming alm of liquid to be irradiated on the interior of said shell, and a tank for supplying liquid to said distributing means, said tank being located directly above one of said legs which is disposed laterally o-f said shell in order to support said tank, a cover for said shell, means of irradiation associated with said cover, and joint support means for said cover and said means of irradiation, said joint support means being supported by another of said legs, all of said elements being arranged in a stable relatively balanced relationship in respect to the vertical axis of said shell.

WALTER BAECKLER. 

